MODERN SYNTHESISBiomaterials for the fashion industry

Modern Synthesis explores how synthetic biology might be used to produce truly sustainable materials for the fashion industry. The team found inspiration in the growing behaviour of a bacteria called k.rhaeticus, often found in kombucha tea. This spurred the idea of collaborating with the bacteria to make a new type of material. The process, which they call microbial weaving, is energy-efficient and needs no additional chemical processing. The result is a strong, lightweight and fully customisable biomaterial. And because the microbes are fed using only natural sources—like waste from local apple farms—everything they make is both 100% biodegradable and closed-loop recyclable. Learn more at: modern-synthesis.com